Kent Randolph Dean

Kent was born Sept. 3, 1942, to Kenneth Franklin and Margaret Mary (Mitchell) Dean in Lewiston, Idaho. He joined his brother, Jeff, to complete the family. They lived in Genesee until his father accepted a job in Boise as State Superintendent of Schools. At this time, his father reorganized the school districts of Idaho. Kent went to school until the third grade in Boise, where he had fond memories of many adventures with Jeff exploring the surrounding areas. 

When he was in the third grade, his father took the family to Sandpoint, where his father was the superintendent of schools and was instrumental in establishing schools in the outlying areas of Bonner County. It was here he made many lifelong friends throughout his school years. After his parents passed in 1956, he moved in with Thomas Mercer, his wife, Dorothy, daughter Diana Kay, and son Tommy. These were his first guardians.

While in school in Sandpoint, Kent was the junior high school student body president, was in the National Honor Society, played football and basketball, and ran track. He took up boxing during high school and was the Inland Empire AAU Golden Gloves Champion.

He was a Boys State delegate, student body president, was on the All-Inland Empire football team, and again won the Division AAU Golden Gloves Championship in Spokane. During the summers, he worked for the school district in Sandpoint, mowing the school lawns, and was later assigned to the maintenance crew.

Graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1960, he furthered his education in Pocatello at Idaho State College, earning his degree in pharmacy. While at college, he played on the football team, thanks to a scholarship, and was a player on the first winning team in the Big Sky Conference to take the Division Championship. He was no. 80 and played as an end. The team traveled extensively to play ball against other colleges throughout the West.

In the summer, he worked for Pocatello City Street Department and attended summer school. He was president of Nichols Hall, the dorm he lived in. 

In October 1962, he married Janice Roundtree and moved off campus, and Kent soon adopted Ron as his own son. They had two other children, Kathy and Greg. Kent and Janice later divorced. Kent then had two other marriages. Debbie Lund, which ended in divorce; and Debbie Schultz, who preceded him in death. 

Kent had his own pharmacy, Dean’s Drug Center, in downtown Lewiston for many years. He had the pharmacy where the last Lewiston police officer was killed while on duty due to a bomb a robber had. Because of this explosion, Kent lost the majority of his hearing.

Kent enjoyed music of most kinds, the outdoors, kayaking, fishing, dancing, and a great joke. He liked to travel and explore new worlds. He was a big sports fan, especially the NFL. He and Kathy had many years together, enjoying the Super Bowl at various locations. Later on, his long-time companion, Cindy, would join the fun by taking Kathy, Kent, and Kent’s brother, Jeff, to various locations. 

Kent tried to get together with Jeff at least twice a year. Since Jeff lives in Tucson, Ariz., it was not always possible to get together as planned, but it brought great joy to Kent during the times they could meet. 

Kent was always “paying it forward” as a tribute to the good people of Sandpoint who were so kind to Jeff and Kent when their parents passed. The people of Sandpoint made sure the boys had a place to call home, food on the table, and saw they kept up their schoolwork and had every opportunity to grow and develop into responsible young men. Kent would help people out without hesitation in much the same manner, regardless of what it was they may need. No questions asked, and no expectations of repayment, either in-kind or monetary. 

Kent was predeceased by both parents in 1956; his last wife, Debbie, in 2005; his son-in-law, Mac Nesler, in 2021; and his best friend, Jody Hill, in 2020. He is survived by his long-time companion, Cindy Olson; his daughter, Kathy Nesler of Fairfield, Calif.; son Ron Dean and wife Allison of Minden, Nev.; son Greg Dean of Lewiston, Idaho; and his brother, Jeff Dean, of Tuscan, Ariz. Kent was grandpa to Bill and Ken Nesler; Colton (CJ, or as Kent called him, The Colonel) and Conner Dean; McKinlee, Corey and Wyatt Dean, and Josh Wakefield. He is also known as Grandpa to Raelynn, Adena, Trevon and Maelee Schultz, a smattering of great-grandchildren, and several great friends whom he spoke of often.

To say he will be missed is not enough. He left a great lasting impression on all who knew him. Life will go on, and the world is a better place because of his great sense of humor, his acceptance of everyone, and his unending generosity. There will be stories for years to come about some of his adventures and antics. Pay tribute to this great man by enjoying life in the same fashion that Kent did.

Here are his parting words to you, dear ones. Keep them in your heart and think of Kent often.

Aloha! If you are reading this, I’m in flight to my next adventure and can only hope it will be as fulfilling as the one I’m leaving. Love and thanks to all my family, friends, classmates, teammates, coworkers, and any others with whom our paths crossed to make mine a wonderful life. Aloha! — Kent